Evidences of Progress Among Colored PeopleRichings, G. F.
History
Evidences of Progress Among Colored People
Richings, G. F.
African Americans
PRESBYTERIAN SCHOOLS MANAGED BY COLORED PEOPLE.
It will be noticed that quite a number of the Presbyterian Schools are
under the management of colored people. These schools are very well
managed and reflect great credit on the ability of colored men.
SWIFT MEMORIAL INSTITUTE.
Swift Memorial Institute is located at Rogersville, Tenn. It was
begun by Rev. W. H. Franklin in 1883, under the most unfavorable
circumstances. He began at the very bottom and had no other capital
save intellectual ability, school-training, strong purpose,
perseverance, and unswerving faith in God and the righteousness
of his cause. It is true that he had the hearty endorsement and
co-operation of the Presbytery of Holsten, the Synod of Tennessee,
and the Freedmen's Board, but they were not in a condition to render
him the assistance required and the conduct of the whole work, for a
number of years rested upon his shoulders. In the face of opposition,
discouragement and prejudice of every kind, the work had a gradual and
solid growth. Each year found the school advancing and intrenching
itself in the confidence of the people at home and abroad. Mr. Franklin
did not lose any opportunity to earnestly present the necessity and the
claims of the school in Tennessee, in Ohio and in Michigan. In 1887,
when the founder had raised a subscription of $500, the Freedmen's
Board appropriated $1000 to purchase a desirable site which had been
selected. The school soon outgrew its new accommodations. In 1890, the
school had prospered to such an extent, and had so favorably commended
itself to the Board that it pledged $5,000 for a suitable building
provided that the friends of Rev. E. E. Swift, D. D., of Allegheny,
for whom the school was named, would raise $5,000 additional. After
two years of soliciting, pleading, praying and hoping, the Board and
the Ladies of the Church in Pennsylvania, Illinois and elsewhere
took hold of the matter in real earnest and soon the building was
erected. The site was enlarged and made more desirable by an additional
purchase. May, 1893, found the school in an elegant and substantial
brick building, 116 × 42, and three stories high, erected at a cost
of $15,000. The building has all the modern improvements and is much
admired by all visitors for its simplicity, its neatness and its
conveniences. It has many visitors. The whole plant, site, building and
furniture, cost about $25,000. These funds have been supplied by the
Freedmen's Board, Women's Societies and benevolent individuals, besides
many gifts annually for current expenses and scholarships.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account